Post by Shinjo Feng on Jan 11, 2012 13:26:40 GMT -5
The stable lay empty and cold. No horses filled the stalls having long ago run free. What feed remained had rotted long ago leaving only a sickening smell of fermented hay and oats. The door stood partially open broken off of the fastening hinges propped up by some passing peasant in memory of the Samurai who had maintained the small estate.
Nearby the main house of the estate also lay empty but the serenity of stables was not found here. The signs of a bloody battle had faded only worn cut marks of sword on wood and dark stains on the floors of the house. Inside the house paper room dividers were yellowed and brittle. Signs of animals and other vermin littered the house. The kitchens showed damage by fire from an untended hearth that had hungrily burnt the room. The fire had collapsed the roof and rain had drown the flames the damage was done and the house ruined.
I had not been to the estate for many years. My uncle had been the one to lead the attack striking down my father and older brothers. My mother had bundled me in her arms and had fled back to her family estates far to the south. My uncle did not pursue her and I must have been considered too young to have partaken in my family’s corruption.
Though my mother had hoped to find refuge on her family estates for me it was ultimately my uncle who sent for me.
“The boy is of the Shinjo family, you cannot hide his dishonor among the Scorpion.” I had heard my uncle arguing with my mother and my grandfather. “If the Shinjo are to find redemption it cannot slink away into shadow.”
It was ultimately my grandfathers decision to send me north with my uncle. I wept the whole way thinking my Uncle would kill me when we arrived at Shiro Shinjo.
My uncle did not take me to the palace but instead took me to the ruins of my family home.
“Look, Feng!” He barked as we walked through the remains. “This is the justice of the Kami. Does it make you bitter?”
I looked at my uncle unable to answer. How could I know what bitterness was?
“Your father believed that men should overcome the Kami. That Heaven should serve the will of man. Do you believe this?”
I began to weep. How could I believe anything?
My uncle stooped down and cradled me in his arms.
“I know it is hard Feng, but we must not let sorrow drown us. Let this sight remind you of your duty to the Kami and to our family. For many years we will be shamed for the actions of the few. We must accept that shame and we must live through it. Men need an advocate to the Kami as Samurai we are that advocate and the Shinjo must always remember that. We are but servants not masters.”
He looked me square in the face.
“Feng, this is still your estate and one day you will need to rebuild it. Not today, but someday you must return, you must erase what your father has done by living a life of honor.”
These memories swirled around me as I stood in the barren courtyard.
My horse let out a small sound.
“Well old friend lets begin.”
Tying my sleeves back I entered the stables to rebuild.
(OOC This story arc is following a bit of the Shinjo path to redemption. Shinjo Feng has decided to rebuild his family estate. It will take time and he will need help and resources. This story does not specifically take place during the war between the Heirs to the throne but is a story I’d like to start. You are welcome to stop in and offer help or even favors. At first the story will not be one of great glory or honor Feng has very little resources to rebuild the estate and in many ways must depend on his own strength until he can convince the nearby peasants to begin to help but hopefully as the story grows there will be more chances for glory and honor all around.)
Nearby the main house of the estate also lay empty but the serenity of stables was not found here. The signs of a bloody battle had faded only worn cut marks of sword on wood and dark stains on the floors of the house. Inside the house paper room dividers were yellowed and brittle. Signs of animals and other vermin littered the house. The kitchens showed damage by fire from an untended hearth that had hungrily burnt the room. The fire had collapsed the roof and rain had drown the flames the damage was done and the house ruined.
I had not been to the estate for many years. My uncle had been the one to lead the attack striking down my father and older brothers. My mother had bundled me in her arms and had fled back to her family estates far to the south. My uncle did not pursue her and I must have been considered too young to have partaken in my family’s corruption.
Though my mother had hoped to find refuge on her family estates for me it was ultimately my uncle who sent for me.
“The boy is of the Shinjo family, you cannot hide his dishonor among the Scorpion.” I had heard my uncle arguing with my mother and my grandfather. “If the Shinjo are to find redemption it cannot slink away into shadow.”
It was ultimately my grandfathers decision to send me north with my uncle. I wept the whole way thinking my Uncle would kill me when we arrived at Shiro Shinjo.
My uncle did not take me to the palace but instead took me to the ruins of my family home.
“Look, Feng!” He barked as we walked through the remains. “This is the justice of the Kami. Does it make you bitter?”
I looked at my uncle unable to answer. How could I know what bitterness was?
“Your father believed that men should overcome the Kami. That Heaven should serve the will of man. Do you believe this?”
I began to weep. How could I believe anything?
My uncle stooped down and cradled me in his arms.
“I know it is hard Feng, but we must not let sorrow drown us. Let this sight remind you of your duty to the Kami and to our family. For many years we will be shamed for the actions of the few. We must accept that shame and we must live through it. Men need an advocate to the Kami as Samurai we are that advocate and the Shinjo must always remember that. We are but servants not masters.”
He looked me square in the face.
“Feng, this is still your estate and one day you will need to rebuild it. Not today, but someday you must return, you must erase what your father has done by living a life of honor.”
These memories swirled around me as I stood in the barren courtyard.
My horse let out a small sound.
“Well old friend lets begin.”
Tying my sleeves back I entered the stables to rebuild.
(OOC This story arc is following a bit of the Shinjo path to redemption. Shinjo Feng has decided to rebuild his family estate. It will take time and he will need help and resources. This story does not specifically take place during the war between the Heirs to the throne but is a story I’d like to start. You are welcome to stop in and offer help or even favors. At first the story will not be one of great glory or honor Feng has very little resources to rebuild the estate and in many ways must depend on his own strength until he can convince the nearby peasants to begin to help but hopefully as the story grows there will be more chances for glory and honor all around.)